Quotes by Jane Austen

“Every body has their taste in noises as well as other matters; and sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather than their quantity.”

“But the inexplicability of the General's conduct dwelt much on her thoughts. That he was very particular in his eating, she had, by her own unassisted observation, already discovered; but why shoul...”

“To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of twenty-six and eighteen, is to do pretty well; and professing myself moreover convinced, that the General's unjust interference, so far from bei...”

“Much was said, and much was ate, and all went well.”

“…each found her greatest safety in silence…”

“She was of course only too good for him; but as nobody minds having what is too good for them, he was very steadily earnest in the pursuit of the blessing, and it was not possible that encouragemen...”

“I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment”

“…Elinor was then at liberty to think and be wretched.”

“She had always wanted to do every thing, and had made more progress in both drawing and music than many might have done with so little labour as she ever would submit to... She was not much deceive...”

“We must consider what Miss. Fairfax quits, before we condemn her taste for what she goes to.”

“Pride,’ observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, ‘is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; tha...”

“I should wish to see them very good friends, and would, on no account, authorize in my girls the smallest degree of arrogance towards their relations; but still they cannot be equals.” (10)”

“You are infinitely my superior in merit; all that I know - You have qualities which I had not supposed to exist in such a degree in any human creature. You have some touches of the angel in you, be...”

“Young people do not like to be always thwarted.”

“Respect for right conduct is felt by every body.”

“A distinction to which they had been born gave no pride.”

“Whenever you are transplanted, like me, you will understand how very delightful it is to meet with anything at all like what one has left behind.”

“The I examined my own heart. And there you were. Never, I fear, to be removed.”

“Upon my word, Emma, to hear you abusing the reason you have, is almost enough to make me think so too. Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.”

“…she had no resources for solitude…”